Microwaves are convenient for when you want to heat up a quick snack. However, any appliance that handles food should be cleaned regularly, and the same goes for microwaves. The stuck-on bits of food and grease may seem daunting for any home cook, but here's a hack that would easily get those food bits out: Lemons!
Lemon juice can clean a microwave with ease. You won't need to spend time and elbow grease to scrub your microwave clean, and you won't need to use harsh chemicals to get a squeaky clean microwave too! Lemon juice can be used to clean both the microwave's interior and exterior with just a few ingredients.
Why Lemon Juice?
Using lemon juice to clean a microwave is similar to using any acidic cleaning agent like white vinegar. Acids tend to break down oil and grease, which will lift food stains off the interior of the microwave. When coupled with baking soda, lemon can be used in a solution that cleans and deodorizes microwaves without requiring vigorous scrubbing!
As the microwave heats up, the vapors soften stubborn stains and baked-on food particles, and deodorizes the appliance as well. The acidity of lemon juice also clears grime, fingerprints, and oils from the interior and exterior of the microwave.
What You'll Need - Other than Lemon!
You will, of course, need some lemon juice to get started on your cleaning. Juice one whole lemon for this cleaning hack by cutting the lemon in half, and squeezing the juice out into a microwave safe bowl. Keep the rinds - you'll be using them in the microwave, and you can use them to scrub your chopping board or kitchen sinks clean too!
- Lemon juice - keep the rind to use as a scrubber!
- Baking soda
- Washing up liquid or Dish soap
- Microwave safe bowl
- Sponge or Damp cloth
- Paper towel or Kitchen towel
How to Clean Microwave with Lemon: A Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Create the Lemon Water Solution
Squeeze out the juice of one lemon into a microwavable bowl. Leave the rinds in the bowl as well, and add 1/2 a cup of water to create your solution. Add two tablespoons of baking soda for the deodorizing effect, and stir until the baking soda is fully dissolved.
You can omit the baking soda, as lemon juice alone will already clean a microwave. However, cleaning a microwave with lemon and baking soda uses a stronger solution to get rid of tough stains, soften dried food and sauces, and deodorize the interior from any musty odors.
Step 2: Let it Steam
Place the bowl in the microwave, situated at the center of the microwave plate. Here's how you clean a microwave with lemon: simply run the microwave on high for 3 minutes, and let the solution rest for 5 minutes. The heat will cause the lemon water to evaporate, lifting food stains as it does.
Step 3: Wipe the Microwave Clean
Carefully open the microwave door, being aware of any hot steam that may still come out of the appliance. Remove the bowl and the microwave plate using oven mitts. Take your sponge or damp cloth, and add a drop of dish soap. Clean microwave with the sponge, wiping to remove the softened food residue from the interior.
Rinse the sponge, and add a few drops of dish soap to clean the exterior of the microwave. Go over the microwave door, the top and bottom vents, and even the electrical cord. This will remove dust and grease from your appliance for an all around clean!
Step 4: Wipe the Microwave Dry
Take your paper towel or kitchen towel, and wipe the microwave dry. This will prevent mold from growing, and prevent moisture from damaging the internal parts of your appliance. Don't forget to dry the microwave's exterior as well!
Step 5: Wash the Microwave Plate, and Let it Dry
Lastly, wash the removable microwave plate with some regular washing up liquid and some warm water. Use a sponge to gently lift the food stains off the surface, and pat the plate dry before placing it back into the microwave.
Citrusy Fresh
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